Electric steam generator



Aug. 11, 1931. A. N. OTIS ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR Filed Sept. 26, 1927QAIUJ 32m Ocfi x t 0 mm m vr A nmjs Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITEDSTATES.

PATENT OFFICE ALBERT N. OTIS, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW

YORK, ASSIGNOR T GENERAL ELEmIO Application fled September 26, 1927.Serial No. 221,897.

My invention relates to electric steam generators and has for its objectthe provision of a reliable and efiicient device of this character.

In carrying out my invention in one form, I provide a suitable recetacle or' boiler having an intermediate 0 set portion together withelectric heating units which are mounted on this portion and projectinto the interior of thereceptacle.

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference should behad to the drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation view partly insection of an electricsteam generator embodying my invention; while Fig.2 is a fragmentary View in section showing a modified form of myinvention.

Referring to the drawings, in one form' of my invention I provide asuitable receptacle or boiler which comprises a lower ortion 10 and anupper portion 11 which is considerably smaller than the lower portion.As shown, the boiler is of an upright type, the portions 10 and 11 beingcylindrical and having a common axis which is substantially vertical.The two portions are joined together by a substantially horizontalflangelike off-set portion 12 whereby the two portions are incommunication with each other at their tops and bottoms respectively andform together a closed boiler receptacle.

For the purpose of heating the boiler, electric heating units 13 aremounted on the horizontal flange portion 12. These heating units may beof any suitable immer sion type, and preferably are of the type shown inPatent No. 1,522,992, to Abbott, dated January 13, 1925. Each comprisesan elongated sheathed heating unit 14 which is in the shape of a hairpinhaving its ends secured to a screw plug 15 which is screwed tightly intoa tapped hole in the flange. The heating units 14 are arranged insubstantially vertical positions in the lower portion of the boileradjacent the side wall. Suitable terminals (not shown) for the heatingunits project'from the plugs 15 whereby the units may be connected to asuitable electric supply source. In order to promote thermal circulationof the water in the boller, a

cylindrical bafiie member 16 is mounted on supports 17 in the lowerportion of the boiler in concentric relation therewith and also inspaced relation with the top and bottom. As shown the heating unitsproject downward between this baifie and the wall of the boiler, and inthe operation of the boiler the water heated in this space tends to riseand is re laced by colder water which flows downward centrally throughthe bafile, as indicated by arrows.

The water level in the boiler is maintained considerably above theflange portion 12, substantially at the point indicated by the referencenumeral 18. Water is' supplied as desired through a feed water pipe 19.It will be noted that with this arrangement the heating units arecompletely immersed in the water whereby the most effective operation isobtained. Furthermore, this arrangement has the advantage that theboiler need be emptied only to a point somewhat below the flange inorder to permit the removal of the units for removal or repairs. A stillfurther advantage is that the units may be removed in the space requiredby the height of the boiler, no additional head room being required, aswould be necessary if the units were inserted at the .top of the boiler.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, I have shown theflange portion 12 as inclined downward from the upper portion of theboiler, whereby the electric heaters secured thereto extend downwardlyin inclined positions. this arrangement, the generation of heat isdistributed throughout a greater portion of the boilerthan with thearrangement shown in Fig. 1.

While I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and asoperating in a specific manner in accordance with the provisions of thePatent Statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit myinvention thereto since various modifications thereof will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritof my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

With

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, 1s:

1. The combination with a receptacle for containing a liquid to beheated, the walls of said receptacle being provided with an intermediateoflset portionbelow the level of said liquid, of an electric heatermounted on said ofiset portion extending into the interior of saidreceptacler 2. The combination with a boiler having an intermediate oilset portion in its side walls arranged below the water level of theboiler, of a plurality of immersion heating units mounted on saidportion extending into the interior of said boiler.

3. An electric steam generator, comprlsing a boiler provided with alower portion and an upper smaller portion for jointly containing thewater to be heated, a flange joining said portions, and elongatedimmersion heaters mounted on said flange extending into said lowerportion.

4. An electric steam generator comprising a pair of receptacle sectionsof difierent sizes for jointly containing the water to be heated, aflange member joining said sections to form a receptacle, and aplurality of electric immersion heaters mounted on said flange extendinginto said receptacle.

5. An electric steam generator comprising upper and lower cylindricalreceptacle sections of different diameters for jointly containing thewater to be heated, a flange joining said sections, and a plurality ofelectric immersion heaters mounted on said flange extending downwardinto said lower section.

6. An electrically heated boiler comprising a vertically arranged tank,the upper portion of which serves as a steam drum and is of lessdiameter than the lower portion, a horizontally arranged wall joiningthe lower and upper parts of the tank, a series of electric heatingunits of the immersion type passing through the horizontal wall andsupported to hang at an an le with the vertical around the sides of t elower tank part to points near the bottom.

7. An electrically heated boiler comprising a tank with its lower partof greater diameter than its upper part and having a horizontal walljoining said parts, a series of spaced electric heating units of theimmersion type mounted to hang at an angle with the vertical below saidhorizontal wall to points near the bottom of the tank, and provideheating means adjacent the outer walls of the lower tank part.

8. An electrically heated boiler comprising a tank loving its lower partof greater width than its upper part with a cross wall joining saidparts, a series of electric heating units hung at an angle with thevertical in the lower part of the tank below said cross wall andextending to points near the bottom of the tank.

9. An electric liquid heater comprising upper and lower sections ofrespectlvely relatively small and large sizes, a flange joining saidsections to form a tank for the liquid to be heated, said flange beingbe low the level of the liquid in said tank, and a plurality of electricimmersion heaters mounted in spaced relation on said flange andextending from, said flange into the interior of said tank so as to beimmersed in the liquid in said tank.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day ofSeptember, 1927.

ALBERT N. OTIS.

